Direct method of terminating the ground coil terminal to coil housing

Abstract

The subject invention improves the electrical connection in a clutch assembly for engaging a compressor in a vehicle air conditioning system. In accordance with the subject invention, a tab extends from the mounting plate and the second end of the ground lead is frictionally retained between the tab and the core winding housing. This is accomplished by turning a tab out of the plane of a mounting plate, placing the second end of the ground lead under the tab and bending the tab downwardly to clamp the second end of the ground lead between the tab and the core winding housing to frictionally retain the second end of the ground lead between the tab and the core winding housing.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A clutch assembly for engaging a compressor in a vehicle air conditioning system wherein said clutch assembly comprises; 
       a mounting plate having opposite faces,  
       a core winding housing supported on one face of said mounting plate,  
       a core winding disposed in said core winding housing for generation of magnetic field within said core winding in response to electrical power being supplied to said core winding,  
       a ground lead having a first end connected to said core winding and a second end connected to said mounting plate,  
       said mounting plate having a tab integral with and extending therefrom and said second end of said ground lead being frictionally retained between said tab and said core winding.  
     
     
       2. An assembly as set forth in  claim 1  including projections on said tab for engaging said ground lead. 
     
     
       3. An assembly as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said mounting plate is generally circular to define a circular periphery with at least one cutout portion, said tab extending from said mounting plate in said cutout portion. 
     
     
       4. An assembly as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said tab extends to a distal end disposed within said circular periphery. 
     
     
       5. An assembly as set forth in  claim 4  including a power lead electrically connected to said core winding for supplying electrical power to said core winding. 
     
     
       6. An assembly as set forth in  claim 5  including an armature a plate, a drive housing surrounding said winding housing and comprising an armature housing connected to said armature plate through magnetic coupling, a drive plate, a plurality of leaf springs interconnecting said drive plate and said armature plate, a drive hub supported by said drive plate. 
     
     
       7. A method of fabricating a clutch assembly for engaging a compressor in a vehicle air conditioning system comprising the steps of; 
       turning an integral tab out of the plane of a mounting plate supporting a core winding housing on one face thereof for magnetically coupling with a drive housing,  
       connecting a first end of a ground lead to the core winding within the winding housing,  
       disposing a second end of said ground lead between the tab and the core winding housing, and  
       bending the integral tab downwardly to clamp the second end of the ground lead between the tab and the core winding housing to frictionally retain the second end of the ground lead between the tab and the core winding housing.  
     
     
       8. A method as set forth in  claim 7  including engaging the ground lead with projections extending from the tab. 
     
     
       9. A method as set forth in  claim 7  including forming the mounting plate with generally circular periphery with a cutout portion and forming the tab in the cutout portion. 
     
     
       10. A method as set forth in  claim 9  including forming the tab with a distal end disposed within the circular periphery.